Ho Chi Minh City Police initiated legal proceedings on 24/9 against Lou Shije, Lei Kang, Wang Xiaojin, and He Yuqiang, all Chinese nationals, for transporting prohibited goods.

Authorities discovered luggage filled with smuggled cigarettes before the flight. Photo: Police provided

This action followed the discovery on 10/9 by Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs of 1,793 cartons of Peony and Chungwa brand cigarettes in the group's checked luggage. The Economic Police Department, Ho Chi Minh City Police, later took over the investigation.

The group confessed to being hired to transport the cigarettes from Ho Chi Minh City overseas. They stated they were offered a payment of nearly 3,9 million dong per trip, with airfare and accommodation expenses covered.

Before their scheduled departure, they received the luggage from an unidentified individual at Tan Son Nhat International Terminal, subsequently checking it in for their flight.

Police are actively searching for the individual who hired them to transport and deliver the cigarettes, and are verifying other related individuals involved in the operation.

Police read the prosecution order, temporarily detaining four Chinese nationals transporting smuggled cigarettes via Tan Son Nhat Airport. Photo: Police provided

Xuan Hai